Conventional Workstation Research Articles

Knee Extension Exercise Effects on Physiological and Psychophysical Performance: Normal Weight Versus Obese Office Workers.

Knee extension exercise is useful and practical for obese and overweight people as this form of exercise is effective in minimizing body weight loading on joints and improving the body's physiological function. This study aimed to compare the physiological and psychophysical parameters of office workers while computer-based working in an active workstation equipped with an active footrest (AFR) prototype with a mechanism for performing knee extension exercises in a sitting position, and also to compare the physiological and psychophysical parameters among normal-weight and obese office workers. In this quasi-experimental study, the physiological parameters of heart rate (HR) and energy expenditure (EE) (measured with the Fitbit Charge HR smartwatch) were measured in two cross-over random sessions for 32 office workers (16 normal-weight and 16 obese) aged 28 to 50 years (M = 42.72, standard deviation [SD] = 4.37) while performing office tasks in sitting and active workstations (equipped with AFR). Perceived physical exertion, comfort, fatigue, and liking were also measured by rating the participants. Short-term activity of the participants with AFR performing computer tasks significantly improved physiological and psychophysical parameters compared with the participants in sitting workstations. However, there was no significant difference in the effect of AFR on physiological and psychophysical parameters between normal-weight and obese participants. Given the significant increase in EE and HR resulting from exercise with AFR compared with the conventional workstation, the use of AFR can help office workers achieve the minimum standard of physical activity at their workplace.

Novel handheld ultrasound with spectral Doppler modality allows for reliable valvular blood flow velocity assessment

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background/Introduction Handheld Ultrasonographs (HUD) have soldified their position as a entry-level echocardiographic tool tailored for introducing non-invasive imaging diagnostics to everyday clinical practice. Current approach to valve assessment with the use of HUD could only involve qualitative method based on the visual detection of morphologic abnormalities and color Doppler assessment. It was not until recently that, Quantitative analysis was enabled with the implementation of spectral doppler to the HUD. Purpose To assess if HUD featured with spectral Doppler modality enables for reliable evaluation of the valvular flow velocity. Methods 102 consecutive patients reporting to the cardiological emergency room underwent HUD examination involving both the measurement of mitral valvular flow velocity with the pulsed wave Doppler and aortic valvular flow with continuous wave Doppler. Subsequently, the same parameters were measured with the high end stationary workstation, and acquired results were treated as reference. Mitral valvular blood velocity > 1,3 m/s and atrial valvular blood flow velocity >2,0 m/s. were considered as abnormal values. Results The correlation between the measurements of maximum velocity through mitral valve obtained with the HUD and standard echocardiography was high (r=0,85; p<0,0001; 95% CI 0,78–0,89). The Bland-Altman plot showed no clinically relevant bias (mean difference 0,06 m/sec, upper limits of agreement 0,2 m/sec lower limit of agreement 0,32 m/s). Accelerated valvular blood flow (present in 4 pts) was detected with HUD with sensitivity of 75 % (95% CI: 19%-99%), specificity of % (95% CI: 96%-100%), positive predictive value of 100% (95% CI: 29%-100%), negative predictive value of 99% (95% CI: 95%-100%). Corresponding assessment of aortic valve showed the following correlation: r=0,87; p<0,0001; 95% CI 0,81–0,91). The Bland-Altman plot analysis indicated small underestimation bias of −0,17 m/sec (P < .001), upper limits of agreement of 0,47 m/sec, lower limit of agreement −0,81. Accelerated valvular blood flow (found in 7pts): sensitivity of 57% (95% CI: 19%-90%), specificity of 100% (95% CI: 96%-100%), positive predictive value of 100% (95% CI: 40%- 100%), negative predictive value of 97% (95% CI: 91%-99%). Conclusion Correlations calculated between the results of valvular blood flow measured with HUD and conventional workstation proved to be very strong. HUD examination enables for detection of accelerated blood flow through mitral and aortic valves with high positive and negative predictive value.

Collaborative Approach Solves Upstream R&D Challenges

_ This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 211115, “IBTIKAR Digital Laboratory: A Collaborative Approach Toward Research and Development Challenges in Oil and Gas Upstream,” by Rauf Iqbal, Pranav Kumar, and Muhammad Aamir, ADNOC, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed. _ The complete paper describes creation of an approach involving a research and development (R&D) environment that supports the business community. The operator’s Ibtikar laboratory is the result of an initiative to develop and provide in-house infrastructure (hardware and software) support within a national oil company’s operations. This synopsis is mostly devoted to a description of R&D challenges faced by the developers and the steps taken to overcome them. Efficient Seismic Attribute Extraction for Azimuthal or Angle Stacks An asset team acquired a few high-density broadband single-source, single-sensor seismic surveys characterized by an enormous amount of data. From acquisition to processing, multiple subcubes (90 GB/cube) were produced for the purpose of capturing subtle geological features. On a conventional machine, loading of the seismic cubes took 40 hours and realizing them took more than 7 days—and this was for only one seismic attribute. To fully use the data in the static and dynamic models of the respective reservoirs, the asset team collaborated with the team behind the described “digital laboratory” to provide a solution best suited for such a large processing requirement. The latter team analyzed the existing system, estimated requirements, and provided a high-performance computing (HPC) system that could handle the massive workload. Table 1 of the complete paper shows the results of a comparison of the conventional workstation with the HPC system. Computationally Intensive Fault-Likelihood Attribute Generation and Fault-Extraction Process In complex geological settings, fault identification and extraction of fault planes has always been a challenging task using traditional seismic-interpretation techniques. Conventional discontinuity-based seismic attributes often face limitations in delineating complex fault patterns, especially in areas of strike/slip and compressional-tectonics regimes. To address these limitations, geoscientists often use sophisticated seismic attributes such as fault likelihood, which follows a sequential multiattribute work flow to generate a fault-imaging volume used later to extract fault planes directly. The key challenge associated with running a computationally intensive attribute with a traditional workstation is that the process is time-consuming and performance is highly compromised because of hardware limitations. The fault-likelihood process itself generates six different seismic volumes during the automatic computation process. The task becomes even more challenging when multiple scenarios are required with varying parameters to assess and finalize the outcomes of fault-imaging volumes and extraction of fault planes. The digital laboratory was used to run this computing-intensive fault-likelihood process on a high-end machine with 800 GB random access memory and 96 cores with improved efficiency. It took only 10 days to run this multiattribute work flow on a seismic volume after running multiple scenarios using different attribute parameters to reduce fault uncertainty and automatically extract fault planes.

Limit of Ergonomics in Lean Manufacturing Design and Control

Ergonomics examines fill in as it identifies with the human body and its cut-off points. Ergonomics can help producing and modern specialists most extreme work yield without actual mischief to laborers’. Physiology, biomechanics, anthropometrics, laborer determination and designation are the spaces of ergonomics generally helpful to assembling and mechanical architects. The most predominant ergonomic related wounds are musculoskeletal; either from redundancy, overburden, abnormal positions or some blend thereof. Ergonomics is generally significant at the degree of work cell and workstation plan. By their actual nature, very much planned Lean Manufacturing cells soothe a large number of the danger factors related with conventional workstations and practical designs. For instance, work cells frequently pivot laborers through a whole interaction on each cycle. This lessens reiteration and static stances.

Redesign of computer workstation using ergonomics

Today’s world is mostly occupied on computers, for which the workstation must be more comfortable to the operators. The objective of this paper is to develop a new design of a computer workstation (upright position) for preventing health risks associated with conventional workstations. The redesigned workstation incorporating ergonomics enhances the motivation, performance and productivity of the operator without affecting health. The vital requirements of computer workstation specified in various literature as per the standards for providing comfort to users is briefly presented. In addition, the product must be manufactured at less cost. To accomplish this design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA) principles are employed. Finally, the integrity of the redesigned workstation is analysed using simulation software.

Challenges and approaches to interactive visualization in healthcare workspaces

Introduction: Most medical specialties rely on 3D image data either for diagnosis, surgical planning, surgical navigation, education or patient-clinician communication. Surprisingly, conventional medical image workstations do not promote proper visual insight nor visual collaboration between professionals. Redesigning conventional applications into visually rich and interactive platforms that seamlessly bring together professionals, devices and 3D medical images, may foster better healthcare by promoting visual insights and boost visual memory through collaboration [1–3]. To this end, we envision portable, accessible, and easy to deploy interactive visualization settings to be commonly adopted in clinical environments. This entails adopting novel technologies (e.g., interactive surfaces, augmented reality and virtual reality) into different healthcare workspaces. Consequently, designing novel medical user interfaces and medical user experiences can offer more natural ways to interact with and engage in collaborative tasks around 3D images. Challenges and approaches: Moving from conventional workstations to interactive visualization platforms brings about new and interesting challenges. By interacting with healthcare professionals, visiting their workspaces, analyzing their requirements and suggesting new ways to interact with 3D medical images, we have identified the major hurdles. For one (i) it is difficult to create and nurture a network of healthcare professionals interested on taking time off their office hours or after-hours to engage in research on a regular basis; (ii) a linguistic barrier between healthcare professionals and computer scientists, as clinicians and health technicians usually provide “big picture scenarios” lacking details crucial to interface design, requiring extra effort to develop a working set of specifications; (iii) many clinicians overlook the technical complexity hidden from the view of users, believing in easy-to-deploy “automagical” solutions; and (iv) identifying current healthcare practices that could be improved by adopting interactive technologies. In order for healthcare professionals to realize that interactive visualization systems may bring added value over traditional practices, it is necessary to develop both well-designed and easy-to-learn medical user interfaces that promote more natural user experiences. In addition, these interactive visualization systems must also be cost-effective, accessible, portable, novel, yet familiar to enable professionals to collaboratively work either in loco or remotely. While developing such approaches is never an easy task [4], the potential rewards make it a very worthwhile endeavor.

Extending medical interfaces towards virtual reality and augmented reality

Introduction: The growing interest of Augmented Reality (AR) together with the renaissance of Virtual Reality (VR) opened new possibilities to redesign how professionals interact with medical images. Several medical specialties already rely on 2D and 3D image data for diagnosis, surgical planning, surgical navigation, medical education and patient-clinician communication. However, the vast majority of conventional medical interfaces and interaction techniques continue unchanged, while the most innovative solutions have not yet untapped the full potential of VR and AR because extending conventional workstations to accommodate VR and AR interaction paradigms is not free of challenges. Notably, VR and AR-based workstations, besides having to render complex anatomical data in interactive frame rates, must also promote proper anatomical insight, boost visual memory through seamless visual collaboration between professionals, unrestrained interaction from being seated at a desk (e.g., using mouse and keyboard) to adopt non-stationary postures and freely walk within a work space, and must support a fluid exchange of image data and 3D models as this foments interesting discussions to solve clinical cases. Moreover, VR and AR-based workstations should likewise be designed according to good human-computer interaction principles since it is well known that medical professionals can be resistant to changes in their workflow. To meet these challenges, we present several case studies that serve as proofs of concept represented as VR or AR prototypes, which were tested by professionals of different medical specialities. Case studies: We have identified specific areas where VR and AR paradigms can make a difference on how healthcare professionals visualize, manipulate and read 2D and 3D medical image data. The most obvious is medical education, where we are currently exploring implant planning using mobile AR and a tablet to train dentistry students. Another specific area is radiodiagnostics, where we evaluated the positive impact of VR, namely, on how radiologists analyze images when immersed inside a virtual reading room [1], and on how radiologists may perform immersive virtual colonography. Also in surgical navigation, AR head-mounted displays carry the promise to assist surgeons performing laparoscopic surgery, in particular, how optical see-through head-mounted displays can assist the surgeon’s eye-hand coordination and to clarify the location of anatomical landmarks displayed on the video stream. Finally, we explore how AR, using multiple projection surfaces, can assist users to perform rehabilitation exercises by themselves under the offline supervision of a physiotherapist [2].

Effect of Dynamic Workstation Use on Radiologist Detection of Pulmonary Nodules on CT

PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine the effects of using a treadmill workstation during CT interpretation on radiologists’ sensitivity for lung nodule detection, accuracy and adherence to accepted management recommendations, and examination interpretation time. MethodsThis HIPAA-compliant study was approved by the institutional review board. Three radiologists performed a retrospective review of 55 CT examinations of the chest originally performed for lung cancer screening. These studies were reviewed both while sitting at a conventional workstation and while walking at a treadmill workstation. A separate thoracic radiologist reviewed the examinations at a conventional workstation only to serve as a control. The number of pulmonary nodules detected, accuracy of or adherence to follow-up recommendations, and time required for examination interpretation were recorded and compared between each condition. ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference in the total number of nodules detected while walking versus seated. Intraobserver follow-up recommendations were consistent to highly consistent between sitting and walking. There was moderate interobserver agreement between the radiologists’ recommendation for seated versus walking conditions. There was a statistically significant difference in time taken to complete each examination, with interpretation during walking taking less time than during sitting. ConclusionsUse of a treadmill workstation does not significantly affect the detection of lung nodules on CT or lead to changes in management recommendations but does decrease examination interpretation time.

Large-scale parallel execution of urban-scale traffic simulation and its performance on K computer

We attempt to perform many-case urban-scale traffic simulations by performing massive parallel computing using K computer, and CARAVAN job manager. We obtain 1025 variations of simulation results with the same condition and different random seeds within 13 h. Each of simulation runs took about 6 h, which is twice longer than the case of using conventional workstations or clusters, and our approach allows further massive parallel computation. The performance and limitations when using K computer are discussed.

Transportable system enabling multiple irradiation studies under simultaneous hypoxia in vitro

BackgroundCells in solid tumours are variably hypoxic and hence resistant to radiotherapy - the essential role of oxygen in the efficiency of irradiation has been acknowledged for decades. However, the currently available methods for performing hypoxic experiments in vitro have several limitations, such as a limited amount of parallel experiments, incapability of keeping stable growth conditions and dependence on CO2 incubator or a hypoxia workstation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usability of a novel portable system (Minihypoxy) in performing in vitro irradiation studies under hypoxia, and present supporting biological data.Materials and methodsThis study was conducted on cancer cell cultures in vitro. The cells were cultured in normoxic (~ 21% O2) or in hypoxic (1% O2) conditions either in conventional hypoxia workstation or in the Minihypoxy system and irradiated at dose rate 1.28 Gy/min ± 2.9%. The control samples were sham irradiated. To study the effects of hypoxia and irradiation on cell viability and DNA damage, western blotting, immunostainings and clonogenic assay were used. The oxygen level, pH, evaporation rate and osmolarity of the culturing media on cell cultures in different conditions were followed.ResultsThe oxygen concentration in interest (5, 1 or 0% O2) was maintained inside the individual culturing chambers of the Minihypoxy system also during the irradiation. The radiosensitivity of the cells cultured in Minihypoxy chambers was declined measured as lower phosphorylation rate of H2A.X and increased clonogenic capacity compared to controls (OER~ 3).ConclusionsThe Minihypoxy system allows continuous control of hypoxic environment in multiple wells and is transportable. Furthermore, the system maintains the low oxygen environment inside the individual culturing chambers during the transportation and irradiation in experiments which are typically conducted in separate facilities.

Pilot Study of Impact of a Pedal Desk on Postprandial Responses in Sedentary Workers.

To evaluate the effects of light-intensity physical activity using a pedal desk (PD) compared with a standard desk (STD) in a pilot study on postprandial metabolic responses and work skills. Twelve overweight/obese full-time sedentary office workers (six men and six women; body mass index, 28.7 ± 3.6 kg·m) were tested in two conditions: 1) PD, pedaling at self-selected light-intensity pace for 2 h and 2) STD, remaining seated for 2 h in a conventional workstation setup while performing scripted computer-based work tasks. Blood samples were analyzed for plasma glucose, insulin, and free-fatty acids in response to a standardized meal and work skills were evaluated. Paired samples t-tests were used to examine the differences in metabolic responses and work performance tasks between the conditions. Pedal desk use required significantly less insulin to maintain glucose concentrations compared with STD condition (peak insulin concentration, 42.1 μU·mL vs 66.9 μU·mL; P = 0.03; and area under the curve, 302.6 vs 441.8 μU·min·mL; P < 0.001). No significant changes in plasma glucose and free-fatty acid concentrations were observed at any timepoints (all P > 0.05). In addition, pedaling at a self-paced rate caused no adverse effects on work skills (P > 0.05). The PD resulted in lower postmeal insulin concentrations without an overall negative impact on work skills. Thus, the PD could have the potential to achieve public and occupational health goals in sedentary work environments.

Diagnostic concordance between mobile interfaces and conventional workstations for emergency imaging assessment

IntroductionMobile devices and software are now available with sufficient computing power, speed and complexity to allow for real-time interpretation of radiology exams. In this paper, we perform a multivariable user study that investigates concordance of image-based diagnoses provided using mobile devices on the one hand and conventional workstations on the other hand. MethodsWe performed a between-subjects task-analysis using CT, MRI and radiography datasets. Moreover, we investigated the adequacy of the screen size, image quality, usability and the availability of the tools necessary for the analysis. Radiologists, members of several teams, participated in the experiment under real work conditions. A total of 64 studies with 93 main diagnoses were analyzed. ResultsOur results showed that 56 cases were classified with complete concordance (87.69%), 5 cases with almost complete concordance (7.69%) and 1 case (1.56%) with partial concordance. Only 2 studies presented discordance between the reports (3.07%). The main reason to explain the cause of those disagreements was the lack of multiplanar reconstruction tool in the mobile viewer. Screen size and image quality had no direct impact on the mobile diagnosis process. ConclusionWe concluded that for images from emergency modalities, a mobile interface provides accurate interpretation and swift response, which could benefit patients' healthcare.

Immersive environment for improving the understanding of architectural 3D models: Comparing user spatial perception between immersive and traditional virtual reality systems

Abstract The use of immersive virtual reality has been considered a beneficial strategy for architectural design. Many studies on this topic, however, avoid discussing the extent to which this technology offers better support to design practices compared to non-immersive virtual reality platforms. Nonetheless, this knowledge is precisely what would justify a wider adoption of immersive systems by the AEC industry. In this context, this study sought to quantitatively verify the ability of a particular immersive system in providing users with a better spatial understanding of the virtual mock-up. The method compares users' spatial perception using a conventional workstation versus an immersive platform. Findings indicate an overall better spatial perception of the virtual model when using the immersive environment. The study concludes that the immersive environment may benefit current design practices by improving professionals' understanding of the spatial arrangement of the virtual model.

LONG-TERM MONITORING OF GLACIER CHANGE AT GÖSSNITZKEES (AUSTRIA) USING TERRESTRIAL PHOTOGRAMMETRY

Gössnitzkees is a small heavily debris-covered cirque glacier (49.8 ha) located in the Schober Mountains, Hohe Tauern Range, Austrian Alps. Glacier nourishment is mainly due to avalanches descending from its surrounding headwalls. Gössnitzkees is the largest glacier in the Schober Mountains and is highly representative of the other 25 glaciers of this mountain group. All glaciers of this mountain group have receded continuously since 1850. Ongoing atmospheric warming sustains excessive glacier melt. In 1988 a long-term monitoring program was started at Gössnitzkees using terrestrial photogrammetry in order to document and quantify glacier change. The surveys have been repeated from time to time using different types of cameras. Recent surveys date from 2009, 2012, and 2015. The aim of this paper is twofold: firstly, to investigate whether or not the rather complex photogrammetric evaluation process using a conventional photogrammetric workstation (mostly with a limited degree of automation for terrestrial applications) can be replaced by modern fully automated Structure-from-Motion (SfM) based approaches, and secondly, to document and quantify the glacier change at Gössnitzkees based on available information augmented by results obtained from the most recent surveys mentioned. Over the last 27 years (1988-2015) the terminus of Gössnitzkees has receded by 179 m and the glacier ice has melted at a mean annual rate of about 1.5 m/year. The Schober Mountains are in the process of deglaciation and the glaciers will likely disappear within the next two decades. Based on our practical investigations we found out that SfM-based software is in general capable of handling terrestrial photographs in a fully automatic mode supporting challenging glacier studies.

Efficient evaluation of Sommerfeld integrals for the optical simulation of many scattering particles in planarly layered media.

A strategy for the efficient numerical evaluation of Sommerfeld integrals in the context of electromagnetic scattering at particles embedded in a plane parallel layer system is presented. The scheme relies on a lookup-table approach in combination with an asymptotic approximation of the Bessel function in order to enable the use of fast Fourier transformation. Accuracy of the algorithm is enhanced by means of singularity extraction and a novel technique to treat the integrand at small arguments. For short particle distances, this method is accomplished by a slower but more robust direct integration along a deflected contour. As an example, we investigate enhanced light extraction from an organic light-emitting diode by optical scattering particles. The calculations are discussed with respect to accuracy and computing time. By means of the present strategy, an accurate evaluation of the scattered field for several thousand wavelength scale particles can be achieved within a few hours on a conventional workstation computer.

Comparison of the postural and physiological effects of two dynamic workstations to conventional sitting and standing workstations

Increasing evidence is being found for the association of health risk factors with work-related physical inactivity. An increasing number of people are being exposed to this form of inactivity, and as a result, various interventions aimed at increasing physical activity during working hours are being developed. This study aims to investigate the differences in postural, muscular and physical activities resulting from two dynamic workstations, namely an elliptical trainer and a treadmill workstation, compared with a conventional sitting and standing workstation. Twelve participants completed five standardised office tasks in a laboratory setting at all workstations. No significant effect was found regarding changes in posture and the muscular activity was only significantly higher for the trapezius muscle (50th percentile: 8.1 %MVC) at the dynamic workstations. For the dynamic workstations, physical activity ranged from 4.0 to 14.9 × 10−2 g, heart rate from 14.3 to 27.5 %HRR and energy expenditure from 1.8 to 3.1 METs.Practitioner Summary:Work-related physical inactivity is associated with health risk factors. In this study, physiological and postural effects of dynamic workstations were assessed in comparison to conventional workstations. No significant effects were found regarding changes in posture and muscular activity. Physical activity, heart rate and energy expenditure increased for the dynamic workstations.

Real-time dispersion-compensated image reconstruction for compressive sensing spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

In this work, we propose a novel dispersion compensation method that enables real-time compressive sensing (CS) spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) image reconstruction. We show that dispersion compensation can be incorporated into CS SD OCT by multiplying the dispersion-correcting terms by the undersampled spectral data before CS reconstruction. High-quality SD OCT imaging with dispersion compensation was demonstrated at a speed in excess of 70 frames per s using 40% of the spectral measurements required by the well-known Shannon/Nyquist theory. The data processing and image display were performed on a conventional workstation having three graphics processing units.

Predictive and clinical performance of a TCI device for sevoflurane at a conventional workstation: Pharmacokinetic correlation of the model used

IntroductionGood governance of resources and global warming has attracted interest on minimal flow (0.3–0.5l/min) inhalation anesthesia. ObjectivesTo evaluate the predictive and clinical performance of a TCI (Target-controlled infusion) device, and its pharmacokinetic correlation for sevoflurane. MethodsProspective, longitudinal, and analytical study on 25 adult patients. Fresh gas flow used 0.5l/min. Target concentration of 1.2% (v/v). Continuous and variable infusion into the circuit of the anesthesia workstation. Controller developed with LABVIEW 6.1. Hemodynamic, respiratory and anesthetic depth data collected every 5s using the anesthesia workstation software. Bias (Median of Predictive Error, MDPE%), inaccuracy (Absolute Mean of Predictive Error, MDAPE%), wobble, and divergence of the TCI device were determined in the first hour. STATA-12 pk collapse was used to analyze the area under the curve of the target and expired concentrations. The results are expressed as mean (95% CI) and median [IQR]*. ResultsTarget concentration used 1.22 [1.14–1.37]%*, reached in 04:07 [03:15–06:15]* min:s (expiratory branch). Anesthetic duration 1:10:50 (00:56:57–1:24: 43) h:min:s. Sevoflurane consumption 6.9 (5.7–8.0) ml. MDPE% −12.8 (−17.6 to −8.1) %; MDAPE% 15.9 (11.9–19.8) %; wobble 6.9 (5.0–8.7)% and divergence 0.89% (−5.96 to 7.7)%h-1. Interactions per hour on the TCI of 3 (2–4). Correlation of the area under the curve, Spearman's rho=0.8577, p<0.00001. ≥15% inaccuracy was associated with age >65 years and obesity. ConclusionsThe TCI sevoflurane© showed good performance, and the target concentration was rapidly reached and remained stable, with few interactions with the device needed during the first hour. There were neither overdosing nor clinically significant alterations.

Postural variability: an effective way to reduce musculoskeletal discomfort in office work.

This article investigates whether different interventions aimed at promoting postural change could increase body movement throughout the shift and reduce musculoskeletal discomfort. Many researchers have reported high levels of discomfort for workers that have relatively low-level demands but whose jobs are sedentary in nature. To date, few interventions have been found to be effective in reducing worker discomfort. Thirty-seven call center operators were evaluated in four different workstation conditions: conventional workstation, sit-stand workstation, conventional workstation with reminder software, and sit-stand workstation with break reminder software-prompt to remind workers to take break The primary outcome variables consisted of productivity, measured by custom software; posture changes, measured by continuous video recording; and discomfort, measured by simple survey. Each condition was evaluated over a 2-week period. Significant reductions in short-term discomfort were reported in the shoulders, upper back, and lower back when utilizing reminder software, independent of workstation type. Although not significant, many productivity indices were found to increase by about 10%. Posture-altering workstation interventions, specifically sit-stand tables or reminder software with traditional tables, were effective in introducing posture variability. Further, postural variability appears to be linked to decreased short-term discomfort at the end of the day without a negative impact on productivity. An intervention that can simply induce the worker to move throughout the day, such as a sit-stand table or simple software reminder about making a large posture change, can be effective in reducing discomfort in the worker, while not adversely impacting productivity.

Toward online reconstruction of quantitative susceptibility maps: Superfast dipole inversion

Magnetic susceptibility is an intrinsic tissue property that recently became measureable in vivo by a magnetic-resonance based technique called quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). Although QSM may be performed without additional acquisition time, for example, in the course of the well-established susceptibility weighted imaging, the applicability of QSM is currently hampered by the numerical complexity and computational cost associated with the reconstruction procedure. This work introduces a novel QSM framework called superfast dipole inversion which allows rapid online reconstruction of susceptibility maps from wrapped raw gradient-echo phase data. The algorithm relies on the extension and combination of several recent algorithms involving the precalculation of convolution kernels and the correction of inversion artifacts. Reconstruction of three-dimensional high resolution susceptibility maps of the human brain was achieved with superfast dipole inversion in less than 20 s on a conventional workstation computer. Thus, superfast dipole inversion opens the door to an implementation of QSM on MR scanner hardware as well as to the routine reconstruction of large cohorts of datasets.